On March 15, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Water Watch Penang (WWP) successfully conducted an educational program at Cherok Tok Kun with Jit Sin Independent High School Environmental Club. The session engaged 29 students and 4 teachers in an interactive learning experience focused on river ecosystems and water conservation.
The program began with an introduction by Ms. Rebecca (WWP Assistant Manager), who provided a brief overview of Water Watch Penang (WWP), its mission, and its efforts in promoting water conservation and environmental awareness. She also explained the day’s activities to the students, outlining the water quality assessments, biological assessments, and hands-on experiments they would participate in.
Participants were then divided into four groups, each consisting of seven to eight students, with two facilitators assigned to each group. The facilitators included Ms. Nur Atiqah (Education Officer), Ms. Fatin Azahara (Education Officer), Mr. Yee Jean Chai, Ms. Fatin Amira, Ms. Deby Arju, Ms. Nurin Insyirah, Ms. Aiman Amisha Nadia and Ms. Nur Alya Arisha.
During the session, students participated in physical and chemical water quality assessments, learning key techniques such as measuring river velocity with a ping-pong ball, determining turbidity using a Secchi disk, and conducting chemical tests through colorimetric analysis. They tested various parameters, including pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen, using water samples collected from the river.
After a short break, the students engaged in a biological assessment by collecting aquatic insects that serve as bioindicators of river health. They successfully caught various macroinvertebrates, including crabs, worms, water spiders, river prawns, and stoneflies. Facilitators explained the significance of these organisms in assessing water quality before safely releasing them back into the river.
Water Watch Penang extends its appreciation to all students and teachers for their enthusiastic participation, making this program a valuable learning experience. For further inquiries, please contact info.waterwatchpenang@gmail.com.